"Trimmings and Treats"

The 2011 Cassina Christmas Tour of Homes showcases five island homes.  An added bonus this year will be the inclusion of the Glynn Art Association Visual Arts Center. In addition to these venues, the Cassina Cabins will be open for viewing on the day of the Tour and the “Best Bake Sale in the Southeast” will be held in one of two Cassina Cabins.  

(The specific location of each Tour Home will be displayed on a map that is on your Tour Ticket.)

 Stop 1 – Cassina Cabins – Gascoigne Bluff

These two authentic cabins, built in the early 1800’s, were used as slave quarters on the Hamilton Plantation. Each housed two families and had a fireplace. After the Civil War, the cabins fell into disuse. In 1932, Glynn County granted the cabins to the Cassina Garden Club. The crumbling buildings were then renovated and the grounds landscaped. In 1950, the County deeded the property to the Club with the provision that it be used for garden club activities. On the National Register of Historic Places since 1988, these cabins serve as the Club’s meeting place.

On Tour Day, visitors are invited to come to the cabins to view the Christmas decorations and for refreshments during tour hours.  The cabins are also the site of our famous BAKE SALE. 

Stop 2 –  The Commons

This American Craftsman style cottage designed and built by the architect/owner who is with Harrison Design Associates, Inc. It has all the comforts for a growing family. Using a design that became very popular in the late 1890’s, the movement was a reaction to the excesses of the overly busy Victorian style and became the standard for the rapidly expanding middle class in the United States. The entry is a classic interpretation of this style with its stacked stone pillars and tapered square columns.

Once inside, this more modern adaptation has incorporated vaulted boxed beamed ceilings, giving more visual space and making a modest house ‘feel’ bigger in the dining room and master bedroom. The living room with its boxed beams and kitchen area are tied together by lovely heart pine floors. The convenient and functional kitchen, designed by Maureen Hodor, fits into the living area and is a great space for guests and family to congregate. The heart pine mantel and stone fireplace in the living room reflect the simple design and use of natural material which demonstrate another trademark of the Craftsman style. Upstairs a large bonus room has multiple functions as a playroom, office, and exercise room; plus two guest bedrooms and baths. Jazz related art and sculptures reflect the owners’ interest in jazz music. This is a delightful interpretation of the tried and true. Good design never goes out of style – you can count on it!
 

Stop 3 - Sea Palms West

This classic Low Country Raised Cottage evokes the picture of THE traditional Christmas Cottage.  With wreaths and ribbons on every window, it looks like the prototype of the “Department 56 Christmas Village” version of this design.  The welcoming front porch, complete with a swing and comfortable chairs, is beckoning the visitor to come on in.   Everywhere throughout the house are collections of art from travels around the world as well as art created by the owner. The dining room with a collection of Gorham silver snowflakes suspended on the chandelier.  Della Robbia style fruit decorations are strategically placed throughout the house.  The kitchen features a black and white tile with a fabulous island created where a wall used to be.  This hides the television set for the adjacent family room as well as providing storage for the kitchen.

The family Christmas tree features memento ornaments as well as the owners’ collection of Christopher Radko hand-blown ornaments. A side exit from the master bedroom goes to a screened outdoor deck with a small lap pool.  The deck connects to an open porch which runs across the rear of the house and overlooks a stacked stone pond in the corner as well as the 7^th tee of the Sea Palms West Golf Course.  An ever popular style, this cottage is a perfect little gem which reflects an age-old design which is always “in” on the coast.  Sometimes it is good for history to repeat itself.  You come back now, ya hear.

 Stop 4 - East Beach –
            
This re-do of a very dated, blah ranch belies the old adage that “you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” It is fabulous in every way. With architectural plans by Brian Coody; kitchen plans by Matthew Quinn; interior design by Boxwood Partners, Inc.; and implementation by Ed Mecchello, this “Curaçao Cottage” could be THE feature article in Architectural Digest! It is that good. The exterior features some of the original brick walls, along with horizontal siding and tabby with brown trim and distressed pale blue shutters. The entrance has a tall, center arched door with balanced pairs of French doors which gives a circular flow from the outdoor vestibule to the inside - a perfect spot for cocktails at sunset. Grey slate and small crushed pebbles make for easy care. A tabby fence preserves the privacy.

Inside, a large multifunctional space combines a ‘state of the art’ kitchen, a formal dining area, and a sitting area for conversation or reading. Vaulted ceilings with a repeat of horizontal siding tie the outside with the interior. A view from this room takes in the fabulous slate outlined pool and patio as well as a porch for outdoor relaxing. Completely surrounded by a tabby fence, privacy is total. Neutral colors with accents of gray, blue, and yellow create oases of calm throughout. This is easy living at its best – this house has “IT” all.
 

Stop 5 - SPECIAL INTEREST STOP
                Glynn Art Assn. Visual Arts Center, Beachview Drive

Founded in 1953, Glynn Art Association offers visual arts education and enrichment to residents and visitors alike. Glynn Art sponsors an active calendar of educational and cultural programs including monthly exhibitions, three major festivals, lectures, studio classes field trips and workshops for art enthusiasts of all ages. This non-profit organization also provides ongoing art programs to the Safe Harbor Children’s Shelter and the Burroughs-Molette Elementary School.

Christmas Tour ticket holders will be dazzled by the exquisite handmade creations of its members at their new Visual Arts Center across from the Casino in the heart of the historic Pier Village. In addition to its standard exhibits of paintings, etchings, photography, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, basketry, fiber and decorative arts, unique Christmas features will include hand carved carousel animals and replica miniature houses. There will be trees full of ornaments created by the woodworkers’ guild, pottery studio members, and the Georgia Coastal Artists Guild. Guests will also find a gardeners’ tree, a jewelry tree, hand-blown and hand painted glass ornaments. You’ll be amazed and delighted with creations you will find. And enjoy some refreshments from the Cassina Garden Club’s historic cookbook too!

Stop 6 - The Village

This newly constructed beach house exemplifies, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” The house next door on Georgia Avenue sat in the middle of two lots. After jumping through all sorts of ‘red tape,’ that house was moved to the right by 10 feet and toward the beach by 5 feet, making room to build the new house. Kevin Higgins, the architect, Chip Evans of Evans Construction, and Margaret Garner, designer, along with the owner have made a great team to build this picture-perfect beach cottage. The house is an eclectic inspiration coming from several styles, all reminiscent of simple European country houses. The side entry with its massive Brazilian front door with leaded windows was constructed to emulate the antique 1890’s English leaded windows complete with various heraldic shields which run up the outside wall.

Built with three levels, the house repeats a narrow palette of vibrant colors throughout. It also has its walls finished in the Venetian plaster slip dash style which gives it a unified look. The three levels of the house have distinct uses. The first level features the “Game Room,” complete with a billiard table. On the second level is the main living area which combines the living room, dining room, kitchen and two guest rooms. The third level features the master suite. The second and third levels have porches across the beach side of the house to catch the ocean breezes blowing in from St. Simons Sound. Lovely heart pine floors salvaged from a Louisiana sugar mill are seen throughout the second and third levels. This house has charm, beautiful workmanship, and a view to die for. Life’s a beach – what a way to go!

Stop 7 -  Kings Point

This “Americanized” West Indies colonial style is loaded with traditional charm and craftsmanship. Designed by James Sutton, built by Mike Wilson, and with finishing touches by Elizabeth Smith Interiors, it has been a 3 ½ year labor of love by all of the participants. The veranda with its shuttered windows and the oversized mahogany entry door exude quality and reflect what is yet to come.

The 27-foot high entry hall gives the grand panorama of elegance and grace. With much of the raised paneling hand-made on site, this home has the “old school,” hands-on craftsmanship rarely seen today. Check out the “washed” pecky cypress boxed beams on the ceiling that are constructed like a sunburst – a wonderful visual effect. A fabulous Trish Burgess kitchen featuring knotty alder Dutch Made cabinets and terrific work space create a cook’s dream. It even has hidden step stools in the baseboards to reach the upper cabinet shelves. Virginia Kalb artwork in the elevator and oversized grasscloth in the back stairwell are more evidence of the well thought out décor that this home has throughout. The outdoor kitchen/porch gives Santa one more option for chimney hopping. This home personifies charm and elegance as well as proclaims that craftsmanship is alive and well. What a treat to see a true work of art!
 

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Webmaster:  kayharrell@fairmarsh.com Copyright Cassina Garden Club, Inc. 2012 all rights reserved

Webmaster; kayharrell@fairmarsh.com